Diversity in Action: The Story of an Art Workshop for Neurodiverse Students

Abstract

This paper presents the story of a unique academic course that focuses on the experience of shared learning and co-creation in a neurodiverse group of students in college. The Department of Special Education at Oranim College of Education strives to develop ahumanistic approach among special education preservice teachers that accepts every person, regardless of individual characteristics. These preservice teachers learn that it is important to support all dimensions of their students’ development, addressing their diverse learning needs. Based on this vision, special education preservice teachers were offered an art workshop, in which they participate with neurodiverse students with or without intellectual disability, coming from a variety of religions—Jews, Muslims and Christians. The field of art was chosen as it provides equal opportunity of expression for participants, without requiringprior abilities or skills. This paper will present the story of this course in the eyes of both the teaching staff and participants, dealing with themes such as apart and together, communication and connection, and different perspectives.

Pursuing Dreams, Confronting Paradoxes: Palestinian Students in Israeli Institutions

“…This distinctive methodological approach, which combined workshops, artistic expression, student discussions, and qualitative research methods, allowed for an in-depth exploration of the perspectives, experiences, and coping strategies of Palestinian students within the educational environment (Creswell and Poth 2018;Merriam and Tisdell 2015). By providing an inclusive space for these students to express their thoughts, reveal aspects of their hidden identity, and share their experiences in their own language, this study enhances understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by minority students within complex sociopolitical contexts (Bhatia and Ram 2009;Ne'eman et al 2022).…”

“…These activities aimed to build a sense of togetherness and compassion among group members while offering them an environment to delve into their experiences and feelings. Using art-based techniques, such as those utilized in the workshop, has been proven to encourage self-expression and foster mutual understanding among participants (Leavy 2020;Ne'eman et al 2022).…”

“…These activities provided avenues for participants to explore their thoughts, emotions, and beliefs, promoting self-awareness and empathy. The incorporation of arts-based methods in qualitative research has been recognized as a powerful tool for capturing the nuances of participants' experiences and fostering empathy and understanding (Barone and Eisner 2012;Ne'eman et al 2022).…”

“…For many participants, the workshop provided a unique opportunity to recall past events and share sensitive and personal experiences that they had never shared before. The use of arts-based methods and the creation of a safe, inclusive space facilitated this process of self-disclosure and exploration (Leavy 2020;Ne'eman et al 2022).…”